As part of its continuing information campaign for the Filipino-German communities under its jurisdiction, the Philippine Consulate General held an info session on Dual Citizenship and Pag-IBIG services in St. Winfried Church in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia. Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. led the team composed of Consul Cecille Joyce Lao together with Ms. Marivic Agot, Area Head Pag-IBIG and Ms. Mylene Lontoc, Pag-IBIG Milan. The event in Bonn was made possible with the support of Father Rodel Liguid, Filipino chaplaincy of the Archdiocese of Cologne and the council of leaders. END

Fresh from their celebrated appearance at the Philippines Guest of Honor FBM 2025 Kickoff Program in Heidelberg and Wilhelmsfeld, the Philippine Madrigal Singers continued their tour with a breathtaking performance on Sunday, 3 November at St. Ignatius Church in Frankfurt. Known for their world-class harmonies, the choir captivated the audience, showcasing the beauty and depth of Filipino music. Their performance not only filled the church with awe but also highlighted the cultural richness that the Philippines brings to the international stage. The Madrigal Singers’ tour marks an inspiring chapter in the celebration of Filipino talent and heritage in Germany. END

29 October 2024- Following the 2024 Buchmesse, the Philippines officially launched its role as Guest of Honour at the 2025 Frankfurter Buchmesse with a series of impactful events from
October 24 to 27 in Heidelberg and Wilhelmsfeld. Spearheaded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Book Development Board (NBDB), and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the visionary behind the Philippines Guest of Honour role, in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt and the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, the 4-day program showcased a rich array of Filipino literature, history, and art, celebrating the unique cultural bonds between the Philippines and Germany and attracting significant international attention.

The launch began with a ceremonial program at the Völkerkundemuseum in Heidelberg, featuring Philippine Ambassador to Germany H.E. Irene Susan Natividad, NBDB Executive
Director Charisse Tugade, and CCP President Kay Tinga, alongside performances by the Philippine
Madrigal Singers and indigenous artist Waway Saway. The kickoff program, which showcased Filipino writers and performance artist, set the stage for a year of activities leading up to the
Frankfurt Book Fair 2025.

The GOH kickoff program also featured Rizal walking tours in Heidelberg by historian Ambeth Ocampo dubbed ‘Lakbay Rizal’, retracing José Rizal’s experiences while studying ophthalmology, while the “Lebendes Bild” performance in Wilhelmsfeld brought scenes from Noli Me Tangere to life. The kickoff program ended with a ‘Tertulia’ where Filipino and German writers shared their perspectives about Rizal. These events underscored the vibrant dialogue between art and history as the Philippines prepares for its prominent role at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. END

21 October 2024 – The Philippines has officially assumed its role as the Guest of Honor for the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, following the ceremonial handover from this year’s Guest of Honor, Italy, on 20 October 2024. The handover event marks the beginning of the Philippines’ journey into the spotlight of the global literary community. The theme for the Philippine participation, “The Imagination Peoples the Air,” inspired by national hero José Rizal’s work Noli Me Tangere, will showcase the country’s rich literary tradition and diverse cultural heritage.

The handover ceremony celebrated a cultural exchange between Italy and the Philippines, with notable speakers including Special Commissioner of the Guest of Honour 2024 Italy Mauro Mazza and Philippine ambassador Irene Susan Natividad who delivered the message of Philippine Senator and Culture Champion Loren Legarda, the force behind the country’s bid to be the Guest of Honor at the Buchmesse. As a unique opportunity to share with the world the nation’s story of “creativity, resilience, and collective hope”, the Filipino narratives will include the perspectives of the indigenous peoples in the country and the Filipino diaspora all over the world. The program included performances from The Philippine Madrigal Singers and musician Waway Saway, as well as presentations by Filipino illustrator Isabel Roxas and Italian artist Alessandro Sanna.

The handover will be followed by a Filipino cultural program in Heidelberg and Wilhelmsfeld from 24 to 27 October 2024 that will serve as the official launch of the Philippine term as Buchmesse Guest of Honor. Highlights will include the Lakbay Rizal Walking Tour led by renowned Filipino historian Ambeth Ocampo, talks by authors, and a concert featuring The Philippine Madrigal Singers and Waway Saway. The Philippine literary and cultural program will then culminate at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair. END

This year’s celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Steyler Missionare, Sankt Agustin brought together members of the Filipino Catholic Communities of Bergheim, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Euskirchen, Gummersbach, Hennef, Mönchengladbach, Siegburg and Wuppertal in praying for the intercession of the San Lorenzo Ruiz during the Holy Mass officiated by Father Rodel Liguid, Filipino Chaplain of the Archdiocese of Cologne. Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. led Consulate personnel during the festivities honoring the first Filipino saint. END

Addressing the members of the Filipino Catholic Community in Limburg, Westerburg and Diez (FCC Limburg) during their 25th Anniversary Celebration, Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. highlighted the unity, bayanihan spirit and deep religious devotion that has bound the members of the community. He also lauded the pioneers of FCC Limburg for remaining dedicated and serving as inspiration for the younger members of the community.

Father Francis Ofrancia, Filipino Chaplain and Father Mares Estrella, former Filipino Chaplain who travelled from the Philippines, led the faithful in commemorating this important milestone through a Holy Mass followed by an anniversary program where they also delivered their inspirational messages.

Established in 1999 under the spiritual guidance of Father Fernando Santos SVD, the FCC Limburg, under the able leadership of Filipino coordinator Ms. Niza Weihs, has grown to become an active member of the larger Filipino Catholic Community in Bistum Limburg, together with the communities of Bad Homburg, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Wetzlar.

The members of the FCC Limburg showcased their talents through their impressive performance in their colorful buri-style costume during the Ube Fiesta event held in Wiesbaden, Hessen last June 15. END

17 September- The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, in partnership with the National Book Development Board (NBDB), today hosted an inspiring book presentation that captivated German readers with the rich narratives of Philippine literature.

During the online book presentation, NBDB Director Anthony John Balisi and NBDB German consultant Baerbel Baecker explored universal yet distinctly Filipino themes in Philippine literature, such as colonial legacy, family, migration, identity, and resilience. The event introduced the German audience to both revered Filipino literary icons such as Jose Rizal and Nick Joaquin and rising contemporary authors such as Patricia Evangelista and Jessica Hagedorn, with the hope of sparking a growing interest in their works among German readers.

Meanwhile, Vice Consul Fatima Mueller emphasized that Filipino stories of struggle, perseverance, and identity, along with themes of social justice, migration, and the environment, resonate deeply with any audience. She added that these narratives draw meaningful parallels with global issues while offering fresh, uniquely Filipino perspectives.

As the Philippines prepares to be the Guest of Honor at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, the event set the tone for a vibrant literary exchange between the Philippines and Germany. END